Slow nod. "Yes, English is good."

"My name is Hira Khan, from the Jaipur enclave. I'm taking the chance to get to know charming boys and interesting girls. Where are you from?"

"Manchester. My name is Ennis Reilley."

Is 'Ennis' a boy's name? Ugh. She doesn't want to have to ask- she'll come across all foreign and out of touch.

"Ennis. Pleasure. How was your room? Happy with the location?"

"Void floor. Otherwise they're all much alike."

"I know. Just trying to keep it light. No one wants to talk about what we're really doing here.

Ice and cold affinity, leaning languages track. You?"

"Cosmetics, alchemy."

"Oh, they're going to love you here. Are you offering any for trade?"

"I didn't bring any with me but I can make some pretty quickly. Do you know who will want them?"

"I'm sure the rich girls are going to go for it- New York, Shanghai, probably a few of the American enclaves...I know at least of the Jaipur girls will want some, besides me. What can you do with them right now?"

"Alertness eyeshadow, and I have a recipe for concealer that's safe to put on injuries and does a little painkilling which I'm trying to get so it also makes you not smell vulnerable to mals, and chapstick that makes you less thirsty."

"Hmm. I'll take the alertness. What do you want for it?"

"I'll have to make it, I don't have it yet. If you want a whole batch, uh..." Ennis glances at one of the other Manchester kids.

"You shouldn't make a firm deal yet, you don't know what dangerous classes you'll have or what homework you'll want to foist off," she says.

"Okay. But I can make you some when I get a chance. What color?"

"Purple, if you don't mind. Smart to negotiate. I'll expect some kind of discount if I'm convincing the rest of my enclave to go for it, though."

She's pretty sure she's not getting a discount, but she wouldn't be her if she didn't try.

"Everybody who didn't get to pick the color gets a little discount. If you want a discount you can wait till someone orders a batch in pink."

"Done this before? Sure, I'll wait. Oh, and let me know if anyone from your enclave needs enchanted earrings, we might have one set going spare. They're mostly for balance and grace. Helps in combat, if you don't have those."

"I might -" ugh "find a taker. What do you want for them?"

"I could use something that keeps you warm, if you're willing to work on it for me."

"I don't have a recipe already but I'll see what I can come up with."

"Sure. And hey, find me if you ever want someone languages track- I think my affinity could play nicely with alchemy, if you ever want to work together on something."

"Ice and cold? Yeah, that could be handy."

"Nice meeting you, Ennis. And if you find any charming boys or interesting girls, introduce us!"

"I can introduce the rest of Manchester if you would like?"

Hira wasn't going to ask, but it's really a lot of work meeting people without looking desperate.

"Sure, if you don't mind. I'll introduce you to Jaipur during dinner, if you want."

"That sounds perfect. Sean is over - there, looks like, talking to people - this is Isla, here, and that's Gail with the tall girl over there, and Liam's meeting his brother that way."

"Delighted to meet you," says Isla.